A RANGE of new schemes are to be launched across Blackburn and Darwen to help improve the lives of disabled people.

Councillors have approved the spending of £700,000 of Neighbourhood Renewal Fund cash -- given to the borough council by the Government to help tackle deprivation -- on 10 schemes, and the creation of a grant pot which will provide small donations to disabled groups.

The £700,000 for disabled projects was earmarked by councillors back in March out of a total NRF allowance of £9.75million. As a result, £65,000 will be spent adapting bus stops and taxi ranks in Blackburn and Darwen so they are more user-friendly. This will include raised kerbs.

And £42,210 is being given to the borough's Dial-A-Ride scheme, which offers door-to-door transport for disabled people. The money will enable them to refurbish two vehicles and provide a new computer booking system and administration clerk.

A further £110,000 will be spent providing disabled-friendly play equipment in existing play areas across the borough. New staff will be appointed to assist groups in using the new facilities.

Blackburn and District Blind Society is been given £20,000 to develop a scheme called Read Easy, which will provide large print book and electronic equipment for blind and visually impaired people.

Braille translation equipment will also be installed at Blackburn's libraries at a cost of £48, 980 so they become more accessible to blind people.

Physical activity programmes will also be introduced at a cost of £47,812, aimed at people with learning disabilities. The executive board report stated the 'Motivate' scheme would help combat the higher risk people with special needs have of developing health problems because they are not always very active.

And youngsters with special needs attending Crosshills Special School, Blackburn, will be taught life skills in a special flat including cooking and cleaning. Youngsters set to benefit include those with physical and mental disabilities, as well as the deaf, blind, autistic and youngsters with behavioural and emotional problems.

Other schemes approved include:

£37,712 to create arts projects especially for disabled people;

£170,000 to create a centre which will provide help and support for finding the right jobs and training courses for disabled people.

A £70,000 grant pot for disabled groups to bid for cash.

Graham Burgess, executive director for regeneration and technical, said: "People with mental and physical disabilities will be supported through a range of new measures to meet their specific needs."